Hogsett Announces Guilty Plea of Federal Inmate Following Death Threats, Anthrax Hoax

More Results as U.S. Attorney’s Office Focuses on Protecting Federal Prison Staff and Officials

TERRE HAUTE—Joseph H. Hogsett, the United States Attorney, announced today that Michael F. Disch, age 43, has agreed to enter a plea of guilty to charges of mailing threatening communications. This follows an extensive investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation-Joint Terrorism Task Force.

“This office made a commitment last year to do all within our power to ensure the safety of all those who work in or around the federal prison system,” Hogsett said. “In addition, hoax cases such as this one also highlight the importance of remaining ever-vigilant of the very real threat that terrorism poses in this day and age.”

Documents filed with the court indicate that in July 2009, Disch mailed a threatening letter to the Honorable Senior Judge Larry J. McKinney, a federal judge in Terre Haute. The letter contained what was later determined to be an inert white powdery substance with instructions to “Smell this and Die.” Disch wrote that he would pay a person to find out where Judge McKinney lived and would have him and members of his family killed.

According to Assistant U.S. Attorney Cynthia J. Ridgeway, who is prosecuting the case for the government, Disch faces a sentence of up to eight years in federal prison.

A defendant is presumed innocent and is entitled to a fair trial at which the government must prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

Kremmling Man Arrested for Sending Letter Containing White Powder to Colorado Department of Revenue

DENVER—Matthew O’Neill, age 51, of Kremmling, Colorado, was arrested without incident yesterday by special agents with the FBI and U.S. Postal Inspection Service, after being charged by criminal complaint for false information and hoaxes related to a terrorism offense. O’Neill is scheduled to appear in U.S. District Court in Denver this afternoon before Magistrate Judge Kathleen M. Tafoya, where he will be advised of the charge pending against him.

According to the affidavit in support of the criminal complaint, on May 25, 2011, a mail room employee with the Colorado Department of Revenue received a letter-sized manila envelope addressed to the State of Colorado; Colorado Department of Revenue; 1375 Sherman Street in Denver. The envelope had Postal Service markings indicating that it was mailed from the United States Post Office in Kremmling, Colorado. The return address indicated that the envelope was mailed by Matthew O’Neill.

A mail room employee opened the envelope, removing the documents and attaching them to the outside of the envelope. This process is common for all documents mailed to the Department of Revenue. The envelope went to a Department of Revenue employee working on O’Neill’s state tax case. That person took the envelope to her office, and placed it on her desk. An unidentified white powder then fell out of the envelope and onto the desk. The envelope and its contents were then taken to another person’s office. That person promptly placed the enveloped on the desk, left the office, locking the door behind her. She then contacted the Colorado State Patrol and 911. Both employees believed that they had been exposed to some kind of harmful chemical or biological substance, so they attempted to decontaminate themselves by washing their hands.

The Denver Fire Department HAZMAT team entered the building utilizing proper protective equipment to maintain their safety while dealing with an unknown hazardous substance. The HAZMAT team field tested the powder in the envelope, discovering it was sodium bicarbonate, a non-hazardous substance. Further investigation led agents and officers to O’Neill’s post office box and ultimately his residence in Kremmling. According to the documents contained in the original envelope, O’Neill owed over $15,000 in back taxes from 2006 and 2007 to the State of Colorado.

If convicted, O’Neill faces not more than five years in federal prison and up to a $250,000 fine for false information and hoaxes related to a terrorism offense.

This case was investigated by the FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force (JTTF), and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service with support from the Colorado State Patrol, the Denver Fire Department and the Kremmling Police Department.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Greg Holloway.

A criminal complaint is a probable cause charging document. Anyone accused of committing a felony violation of federal law has a constitutional right to be indicted by a federal grand jury.

The charge contained in the criminal complaint is an allegation, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

Law Enforcement Response to Bio-Hazards

I wrote this short article in hopes of creating the importance of Bio Hazards. Generally the Police officer is the first responder to an emergency, like homicides, robbery or simple DUI offenses. In any scenario, the police officer must be alert to potential hazardous areas or people infected with a potentially infectious disease. These diseases can be Hepatitis B, HIV or TB, they are found in bodily fluids, blood, or on other items present.

Over 300,000 caretakers are infected each year from contact with infectious disease carriers or from improper handling procedures. Needle sticks is a major contributor to accidents and from drug interdictions. Needles should always be capped after use and destroyed properly. All needles should never be used twice. Proper hand wear, heavy duty gloves is a must when handling anything that may be potentially infectious or sharp, and protects against saturation and moisture of any kind.

http://www.police-writers.com/law_enforcement_bio_hazards.html